Tom Hirschman was forced to resign after violating Albuquerque Public School policy.

He spoke with Action 7 News about the development Wednesday.

''I was shocked that it went straight to where it went and the manner in which it was taken," Hirschman said.

The coach said he was forced out because he violated district policy twice.

The first incident happened last year when he watched movies with the girls that the team had picked. He said the movies can be interpreted as having religious undertones.

"We used them as team building and a platform to spread positive character trait and I think a lot of what's happened is we've taken things out of context," Hirschman said.

The second issue happened this season when an opponent got hurt on the field.

''I was asking the kiddo if I could pray for her and prayed with the team for her and that's a direct violation of APS policy," Hirschman said.

The APS athletic handbook states no school employee representative or coach should initiate encourage lead, promote or participate in prayer with students.

"After a week long investigation this is what you come up with, 'OK, I'm guilty as charged,' so now I move on. I don't know what the next steps are but I wish the kids the best and I'll cherish every moment I had with them," Hirschman said.

Hirschman will continue as a special education teacher at the school. He was the girls head soccer coach for the past nine seasons.

The coach said if he had not stepped down as head coach, he believes he would have been fired.

Assistant Paul Maestas has taken over as head coach. The team will play against Sandia in the class 5A State Semifinals on Thursday.